Tense standoff at Derby Joe ends peacefully

While the promised tournament didn't materialize, chess was still played at Salem's inimitable Derby Joe café.  CHESS CLUB would like to congratulate the proprietor on the birth of his brand spanking new daughter.

It must be confessed that in the Chess Pirate's absence, the players took the opportunity to play without clocks !

Meanwhile, a very energetic puppy gave the Gabridoodle's panther-smelling pants a thorough sniffing.

In a long, scholarly, positional game between the Gabridoodle and the Boa Constrictor, a tense endgame ended peacefully in a draw-by-insufficient-material.